Lightening Online

You may have seen mention around the Blogosphere of the passing of the world’s oldest blogger, Olive Riley. Olive’s words, through her blog, have inspired many people.

Admittedly, she did have some help with her blogging - by someone almost 70.

I get so inspired by those in the “grandparent” generation getting into new technology. I’m sure there are many who could run rings around me when it comes to technology. But then you get others that really don’t want to have anything to do with all things computer related.

My own grandfather is another one who has inspired me. He bought his first computer in his 80s. Before that he already had an email account set up that he used at the local library. He usually had to get the library staff to help him, but he wasn’t beyond asking for help and learning something new.

When my parents were studying at theological college, there was a lady there with a similar story. Already in her 70s, she was working her way towards her degree. Everyone commented on how inspirational she was.

Last night at netball training I was encouraged by a lecture the coach of another grade was giving her team. Our coach cancelled our training due to many of the team (including herself) being away. 3 of us ended up going to training anyway so we happened to be with this other grade when the coach was giving her team a lecture.

The theme of her lecture? You’re never to old to learn.

The reason for her lecture was that she was unhappy with the attitude of some members of her team. We’d been working through a drill earlier in the night which focused on practising our passes and she didn’t feel they were really paying enough attention to what was being said and shown.

Her main point was that it doesn’t matter how much we think we know or how old we are, there is always something we can learn.

To be honest, 90% of the time at netball I feel like a complete idiot (the other 10% of the time I’m so close to death I don’t care LOL).

When someone says “throw a lob”, everyone goes ahead and does it.

Me? I’m thinking….”what’s a lob, how do I throw it, when would I use it, I wish I didn’t have 2 hands, 2 feet AND a body to try and co-ordinate at the same time as throwing or catching a ball”.

To be honest it is REALLY easy to feel very discouraged, like a complete idiot and wonder why on earth I’m putting myself through this? Especially on the days when it just doesn’t feel like I’m having fun.

So even though I was a “ring in” (ie not part of her team) and she wasn’t really talking to me, it was a lecture that I found very inspirational. A reminder and an encouragement that we never know too much or get too old to learn.

On days when I’m thinking “what on earth am I doing trying to learn netball at 34?”, I need to remind myself that “I’m never too old to learn”. In a way I think being open to learning something new every day is the secret to “staying young”. And the secret to getting the most out of life.

Olive Riley leaves behind her a legacy that says “you’re never too old to learn”.

Is there something you’ve been putting off? Something that you’d like to learn how to do? Perhaps now would be the perfect time. How amazing would it be if we all chose to learn something new, in honor of Olive Riley, the world’s oldest blogger.